Tom Runnells will return as Rockies' bench coach

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Tom Runnells, one of the four finalists for the Rockies' managerial job, will be returning to the club as the bench coach in 2013.

"I know Tommy, and I have history with Tommy," new manager Walt Weiss said Friday. "Tommy will be a good guy for me to lean on. He has been here, coaching in this park. He's been in the game forever."

Runnells has been with the Rockies since May 2009 when he became bench coach for former manager Jim Tracy.

The other finalists for the manager's job were Arizona Diamondbacks third-base coach Matt Williams and veteran slugger Jason Giambi.

The Rockies still have not reached a decision on Giambi as their next hitting coach.

"I don't know where that is right now, or what Jason is thinking," Weiss said. "But there is no question that he is well respected. We will be talking about that."

Thursday night, Giambi told The Denver Post, "I am going to take a few days, then talk to the Rockies again (about the hitting job), because my sole focus was on managing."

In addition to a new hitting coach, the Rockies also need a third-base coach. Bill Geivett, the vice president of major-league operations, said that Weiss will play a major role in rounding out the staff.

"No question Walt will have a say, and we've already been involved in some discussions," Geivett said. "He's the skipper of the club, and that's his staff. Certainly he's a guy who'll be in on all of that."

There has been speculation that the Rockies will hire Bob McClure as their pitching coach, but Geivett said the club has not discussed making any changes. He added that pitching coach Bo McLaughlin and bullpen coach Jim Wright will be employed in some fashion.

Weiss' one-year deal was a hot topic Friday, but both Weiss and Geivett brushed it off as no big deal.

"I don't think the term of the contract, to me, is a real big issue," Geivett said.

Weiss insisted the one-year deal does not put extra pressure on him.

"It's really a nonissue," he said. "If you don't do the job, you are gone. It's a bottom-line business, so (the contract) is of no concern for me. I have to go out and do the job. I have to get the club to play right and play hard. I couldn't care less about the terms of my contract, to be honest with you."